I grew up in an insanely dysfunctional and toxic family. There are numerous similarities between Donna and my own mother, and honestly the entire episode didn't feel far off from a normal family gathering for me (besides driving a car through the house, that was wild). Angry drunks, physical confrontation, and high emotions were all quite common, and my parents had me convinced this was how most families operated.

After leaving home I was able to put together that my family was abnormal in this aspect, but people saying things like "This is the most stressful episode of a show I have ever seen" has really put into perspective how messed up it really was. In a way it has been therapeutic in showing me that my discomfort with the dynamics was completely natural, and that it is not just me.

Thank you all for your insight!